tagged w/ Marijuana Prohibition
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When the producer of the FoxNews program ‘Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano‘ asked me to appear on air last week to discuss the issue of marijuana law reform, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect.
Fortunately it became clear from the host’s opening monologue that Judge Andrew Napolitano is a powerful and articulate friend of cannabis liberalization.
“The War on Drugs that the federal government has waged, and on which it has spent billions and billions of taxpayer dollars, has been a complete waste of time, money, and effort.
Take marijuana, for instance. It’s been grouped together and enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration with real hardcore drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. But states like California and soon New Jersey have pretty much legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. While the federal government contends that … marijuana has the potential to promote cancer, patients of cancer and other similar ailments actually use marijuana to fight these deadly diseases.
So wouldn’t the federal government be better off creating the incentive to empower people to make the right choice, to make their own free choice, rather than persecuting them and prosecuting them for what the feds consider to be the wrong choice?”When the producer of the FoxNews program ‘Freedom Watch with Judge... more
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CANNABIS CULTURE - NDP Leader Jack Layton and his party are calling on the Conservative government to stop the extradition of activist Marc Emery.
Layton and two other NDP MPs, Libby Davies and Bill Siksay, have sent letter of support to activists and the Minister of Justice, calling Emery's extradition for selling marijuana seeds "wrong", and asking that he be allowed to serve his sentence in Canada.
Read letters from NDP members below.
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Jack Layton Calls Marc Emery's Extradition 'Wrong'
Supportive letter sent to marijuana activists from NDP leader
To: WhyProhibition.ca
Thank you for your message regarding the extradition of Marc Emery to the United States.
Several years ago, when this matter became public, we voiced our
opposition the extradition of Mr. Emery. We believed then, as we do
now, that it is wrong to extradite our citizens for an offence that
would not - and, in this situation, did not - result in him being
charged in Canada.
Please find attached a recent letter from Ms. Davies to Minister Rob
Nicholson asking him to intervene on behalf of Mr. Emery.
Again, I appreciate hearing your concerns on this matter. All the best.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats
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Libby Davies urges Justice Minister to Stop Emery Extradition
from LibbyDavies.com
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of Justice
105 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Nicholson,
I write once again to ask that you stop the extradition of Canadian Marc Emery to the United States and allow him to serve his prison sentence in Canada.
Canadian law enforcement officials have for a decade ignored Mr. Emery’s well publicized activities. I have expressed to you on many occasions my vehement opposition to sending Mr. Emery or any Canadian to face harsh punishment in another country when we have agreed as a society that these actions are not worthy of prosecution in Canada. Yet, your government has refused to intervene on Mr. Emery’s behalf and he will now serve a five year prison term in the United States.
It is my understanding that the United States government will allow Mr. Emery to remain in Canada to serve his sentence if the Government of Canada agrees. I therefore urge you to act in best the interest of this Canadian citizen and in the interest of Canadian sovereignty and allow Mr. Emery to serve his sentence in Canada.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible on this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East
NDP Spokesperson for Drug Policy
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Bill Siksay Calls For End To Marc Emery's Extradition
To: The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, MP
Minister of Justice
105 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Nicholson,
I am writing regarding the extradition of Canadian Marc Emery to the United States. I would urge you to take immediate steps to allow Mr Emery to serve his prison sentence in Canada.
It is my understanding that Canadian law enforcement officials ignored Mr. Emery’s activities implying that these actions were not worthy of prosecution in Canada. Despite this, your government has refused to intervene on Mr. Emery’s behalf and he will now serve a five year prison term in the United States.
I understand that the United States government will allow Mr. Emery to remain in Canada to serve his sentence if the Government of Canada agrees. Given this fact, I would therefore call upon you to act in best the interest of this Canadian citizen and in the interest of Canadian sovereignty and allow Mr. Emery to serve his sentence in Canada.
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possibCANNABIS CULTURE - NDP Leader Jack Layton and his party are calling on the... more
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Far from protecting us and our children, the war on drugs is making the world a much more dangerous place.
SO FAR this year, about 4000 people have died in Mexico's drugs war - a horrifying toll. If only a good fairy could wave a magic wand and make all illegal drugs disappear, the world would be a better place.
Dream on. Recreational drug use is as old as humanity, and has not been stopped by the most draconian laws. Given that drugs are here to stay, how do we limit the harm they do?
The evidence suggests most of the problems stem not from drugs themselves, but from the fact that they are illegal. The obvious answer, then, is to make them legal.Far from protecting us and our children, the war on drugs is making the world a much... more
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As the Senior Editor of High Times Magazine, David Bienenstock has traveled the world writing about marijuana. He has interviewed everyone from growers to dealers to prisoners to politicians, which means he knows just about everything there is to know about pot.
Check out www.revelinnewyork.com for more videos and for David's personalized city and culture guide to New York.As the Senior Editor of High Times Magazine, David Bienenstock has traveled the world... more
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In light of the toll that marijuana prohibition takes on the lives of our neighbors, can we justly say "that's the price you pay?"
While our current economic climate has prompted many Californians to look toward legalized marijuana as a solution to our near-legendary budget woes, there are those for whom the potential revenue from marijuana is no compensation for the further erosion of our morals. In their eyes, the prohibition of marijuana must continue, lest our society drown in a tidal wave of vice. But what about the morality of prohibition?In light of the toll that marijuana prohibition takes on the lives of our neighbors,... more
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25 Years In Prison For Kush?
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The worse the economy gets, the better marijuana looks—not necessarily for its psychedelic properties, but for its revenue potential. As more cities and states face budget deficits, the idea that legal, regulated marijuana could reel in a bounty of taxes is gaining traction. This development has confounded legalization advocates, rendering their FAQs nearly irrelevant and plunging them into an unfamiliar debate: OK, say we legalize pot. How should we tax it?The worse the economy gets, the better marijuana looks—not necessarily for its... more
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When it comes to addressing America's disastrous war on drugs, the Obama administration appears to be moving in the right direction -- albeit very, very cautiously.When it comes to addressing America's disastrous war on drugs, the Obama... more
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"Yesterday marked the first time in history that a nationwide poll showed majority support for taxing and regulating marijuana (at 52%). The poll, conducted by Zogby International at the end of April, was also one of the largest sample sizes of any national polls on the subject, with almost 4,000 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 1.6%."
Let's legalize it!"Yesterday marked the first time in history that a nationwide poll showed... more
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NORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 434, an act to exempt qualified medical cannabis patients from state arrest and prosecution, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Passage of House Bill 434, The Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act, will ensure that authorized medical marijuana patients will no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee are scheduled to hear testimony in favor of the bill on Wednesday, April 8th.NORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 434, an act to exempt qualified medical... more
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While a recent poll showed that more than two thirds of Massachusetts voters favor relaxing laws against marijuana, State Representative Will N. Brownsberger ’78—a drug addiction and enforcement expert who represents parts of Belmont and Cambridge—said he has grave concerns about the wisdom of a November ballot initiative that would decriminalize possession of the drug.
The initiative, championed by the Committee of Sensible Marijuana Policy, would replace criminal penalties for possession of an ounce or less of personal use marijuana with civil penalties.
While penalties for selling, growing, and trafficking marijuana would remain unchanged, possession would be punished by a combination of a fines starting at $100, community service, and drug awareness programs. Marijuana possession would also no longer be recorded in the oft-maligned Criminal Offender Record Information system.
While some academics have come out in favor of the measure, Browsnberger called it “a side show” because the “real issue is cocaine and heroin.”
“That’s what people are going to jail for, that’s what people are dying from,” Brownsberger said, adding that the ballot measure on marijuana is “not worth pursuing.” [more]While a recent poll showed that more than two thirds of Massachusetts voters favor... more
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Boston, MA: Nearly three out of four Massachusetts voters support a statewide ballot initiative that seeks to decriminalize the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis by persons age 18 or older, according to a Channel 7 News/Suffolk University poll of 400 registered voters.
Seventy-one percent of respondents said that they would vote "yes" on the November ballot measure, which would replace criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana with a civil fine of no more than $100. Only 22 percent of respondents opposed the proposal.
Among respondents over 65 years of age, 70 percent said they backed decriminalization.
The strong poll numbers indicate that the measure "is all but certain" to pass in November, the poll's authors declared in a press release.
If voters approve the measure this fall, Massachusetts would be the first state to enact the decriminalization of marijuana since Nevada's legislature did so in 2001 and the first to do so by voter initiative.
Currently, twelve states have enacted versions of marijuana decriminalization -replacing criminal sanctions with fine-only penalties for minor pot violators.
Michigan voters will also decide on a separate statewide initiative this November that seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis for qualified patients. If enacted, Michigan will become the thirteenth state since 1996 to authorize the legal use of medical cannabis, and the ninth state to do so by voter initiative.
For more information, please contact NORML Executive Director Allen St. Pierre at (202) 483-5500, or visit the Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy.Boston, MA: Nearly three out of four Massachusetts voters support a statewide ballot... more
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The distinct odor of burning incense - among other things - hung in the air over Boston Common yesterday afternoon during the 2008 Boston Hemp Fest.
A large crowd gathered, its members enjoying the warm, sunny weather and the diverse offerings of food vendors as they debated political ideas or simply relaxed on the grass.
"I tell you, it's eclectic. From getting things like nice tie-dye shirts to getting, like, say, falafels and things like that," said Lee Litif 44, of South Boston, who was decked out in tie-dyed clothes himself, along with sunflower-rimmed sunglasses. "It's utopia; it really is."
Litif was happy to express his support for an upcoming ballot question that would decriminalize marijuana possession in the state.
"No doubt. I'm for legalization of marijuana. Legalize gay marrage and legalize abortion, regardless," he said.
Supporters of both Question 2, the marijuana measure, and Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax, were out in full force with literature, stickers, and even free fresh fruit to try to lure people to their side.
Arthur Torrey, a libertarian from Billerica, was handing out literature to passersby from a booth. Across the way, a group of socialists were handing out their materials.
"We agree on a lot of social issues," he said.
A number of people were smoking marijuana and some could be seen inhaling substances from balloons. Police reported making six arrests, but officials last evening did not have specifics on the charges.
Police were not visible walking through the crowds, but flashing blue lights on the perimeter of the Common reminded everyone that they were in the vicinity.
Before providing information on the arrests, Officer James Kenneally, a police spokesman, said the Hemp Fest was "rather orderly."
Globe correspondents Padraig Shea and Caitlin Castello contributed to this report. John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.comThe distinct odor of burning incense - among other things - hung in the air over... more
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This coming Tuesday, Santa Cruz City Council members will once again be faced with deciding if the Wo/Men's Alliance for Medical Marijuana WAMM should be granted an exemption to the non-smoking policy for San Lorenzo Park. The stated need for this exemption is to allow members to "utilize their medication" during a festival intended to raise funds and awareness for the organization. I urge the Santa Cruz City Council to oppose this exemption.
While I support the mission of WAMM and I recognize that there are people who legitimately use marijuana for medicinal purposes, I do not believe that sanctioning the use of our public spaces for this purpose, and the likely recreational drug use that will accompany it, is consistent with our goals as a community.
The city of Santa Cruz has invested significant taxpayer resources in ridding San Lorenzo Park, and the adjacent neighborhoods, of chronic drug use so that these spaces are again welcoming to the broader Santa Cruz community, especially families. For the city to then "open the floodgates" to this use for one day seems greatly at odds with its policies the other 364 days of the year.
While the event organizers hope to restrict the use of marijuana to a specific area, it was well-documented by the media that this was not enforced last year. It is not the intent of WAMM to host an event that is a destination for recreational marijuana users, but this trend was also documented by the media. I fear that while WAMM has good intentions, their goals and mission might be compromised by others with different goals. Remember, the 4/20 event at UCSC started out as a small student activity that has now grown to include hundreds of recreational drug users from across the Bay Area.
A concern that has not been addressed are where these "medicated" individuals go after the event. They are now under the influence of a controlled substance. Do they get in their cars and drive? Do they go downtown, just over the bridge? We have also invested significant resources in getting drug use out of our downtown area, and I fear this event will undermine those efforts as well.
Recently my aunt passed away after a brief and intense battle with cancer. During her treatments, she used marijuana medicinally and it was the only thing that enabled her to deal with the side effects. I firmly believe that it is right to have compassion for people with terminal or serious chronic conditions, whose suffering can be lessened by the use of marijuana. But there are more practical ways to express that support. I hope WAMM will rethink its approach to this event, with the understanding that there are community members who support their goals but cannot see the logic of lifting the smoking ban in the park.
I hope that our community leaders will consider the health and well-being of the entire community and our goals for the use of our public spaces when casting their votes on Tuesday.
Jeffrey Kongslie is the co-owner of Vinocruz, a downtown business, and serves on the city's Downtown Commission.This coming Tuesday, Santa Cruz City Council members will once again be faced with... more
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Marijuana legalization advocates openly smoked pot at the annual Boston Freedom Rally on Boston Common yesterday, spurring arrests by Boston police.
“It’s one thing to protest the illegality of marijuana, that itself isn’t illegal,” said James Kenneally, BPD spokesman. “People have the right to free expression, but it’s another thing to smoke marijuana, which is an illegal narcotic, during the protest.”
The annual Boston Freedom Rally - described by organizers as “the largest marijuana reform gathering on the East Coast” - drew hundreds of stoners, activists and vendors to the park. They spent the bright, sunny afternoon touting their support for Question 2, which will appear on the ballot in November and would replace criminal penalties for possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana with a fine of no more than $100.
“It’s a thing where we can unite for a cause to legalize weed, man,” said Howlin’ Jack Boone, 27, of Waltham, lead singer of the rally’s headline band, Graveyard BBQ. “This year we’re hoping for decriminalization, next year it’ll be a celebration.”
The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition co-sponsored the event, along with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
“We’re close to winning the first major battle with Question 2, and MassCann won’t stop until it’s legal, regulated and taxed,” said Steven Epstein, co-founder of the coalition.
Yesterday’s rally was “a combination of education and activism,” said Allen St. Pierre, NORML executive director.
Or, as guitarist “Brown Bag” Johnson of Graveyard BBQ put it, “We’re fighting against the man, burning the rope and having a good time.”
The arrests ruined the mellow mood for some participants.
“It’s a real fear. When they arrest you, it’s quick and swift,” said pot enthusiast Rachel Elorrisa, 29, of New Hampshire who admitted to “lighting up” before the rally. “Police are out here in street clothes, and when they arrest, you have to sit in that holding area all day.”Marijuana legalization advocates openly smoked pot at the annual Boston Freedom Rally... more
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Why is marijuana illegal? Once upon a time, there were several "facts" that made it seem obvious why it should be, but many of those "facts" are simply myths, and ridiculous ones at that.
Myth 1: Marijuana can cause dangerous, psychotic behavior.
Perhaps the most ridiculous of the myths; it is possibly the main reason for its prohibition. Marijuana was demonized and portrayed as a dangerous substance that would make you lose your mind. In fact, marijuana has some medicinal benefits and is less harmful than most of the side effects caused by prescription drugs.
Myth 2: "The War on Drugs" has been incredibly successful in putting away those terrible marijuana users.
Really? If you see successful as spending billions in tax dollars to incarcerate 37 million non-violent drug offenders, then sure. But, Jeffrey Miron, professor of economics at Harvard, says the legalization of marijuana would generate a tax revenue of $6.2 billion annually if taxed similar to alcohol and tobacco. We would also save $7.7 billion in government expenditure.
Some drug offenders serve more time than child molesters, and it costs between $20,000 and $30,000 per person per year to keep them in prison. I believe our tax dollars and our law enforcement would serve better purposes elsewhere and considering the state of our economy, that tax revenue might be a much-needed boost.
Myth 3: If legalized, there would be an increase in marijuana use, especially among youth. Use of most substances, including alcohol, is more prevalent among teenagers and 20-somethings. These are the people that are prone to experimentation, legal or not. Getting in trouble for underage use of legalized marijuana would be much less detrimental to teenagers' futures than sticking them with a misdemeanor or felony offense for the rest of their life.
Also, advertising would undoubtedly be restricted just as it is for cigarettes and alcohol, so no marketing for kids.
No Joe Camel, no Mary Jane.
In the Netherlands, the sale of marijuana is tolerated. The number of users did increase after more shops started selling it, but according to a recent World Health Organization survey, after that increase, Americans continue to use more marijuana than the Dutch.
Myth 4: Increase in use would mean more health problems. Marijuana smoke does contain carcinogens like cigarettes, but it tends to be used much less to achieve the desired result. The National Institute of Health's statistics show that 400,000 people die a year in cigarette-smoking related deaths. Yet, it also shows that there is no record of any marijuana related death in known history. These are some of the facts, and they are why I support the legalization of marijuana.
I'm not even a user, but I think people should educate themselves on the facts of this, or any issue, before drawing conclusions based on hearsay. In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons in this case.Why is marijuana illegal? Once upon a time, there were several "facts" that... more
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Published: September 8, 2008
A South Carolina man is only facing a citation after the Sheriff of Unicoi County allegedly discovered 29 cases of moonshine in his car.
This is Unicoi County’s biggest bust ever made during a traffic stop.
The stop happened early Sunday morning, and Sheriff Kent Harris pulled over a suspected DUI driver, and that’s when he made this suprising discovery.
The driver-- Arvin Guffey of South Carolina-- told investigators he has driven to the Tri-Cities “several” times to pick up his illegal alcohol.
Under state law, receiving and transporting untaxed alcoholic beverages is just a misdemeanor.
Guffey was handed a citation and sent home...he’ll appear in court in Cctober.
For the full story, watch Amber Miller’s package posted right here on TriCities.com.
EC-"This is just a misdemeanor in Tn unlike if you were to be caught with a harmless plant like cannabis, whats wrong with this picture?"Published: September 8, 2008
A South Carolina man is only facing a citation after... more
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I've had enough with the anti-marijuana propoganda,the war on drugs,doctors pushing hard drugs on sick patients instead of prescribing marijuana,government lies and fear instilling and mis-information.
People need to wake up, think outside the box and think independently and for themselves.I've had enough with the anti-marijuana propoganda,the war on drugs,doctors... more
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It's estimated that $143 million in medical marijuana sales have netted $11.4 million in state and local taxes annually, based on registered businesses, California State Board of Equalization spokesperson Anita Gore said. And those estimates are small compared to a 2006 report co-authored by California NORML state coordinator Dale Gieringer, which said that Californians consumed between $870 million and $2 billion worth of medical marijuana per year.[more]It's estimated that $143 million in medical marijuana sales have netted $11.4... more
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(you must see this to believe this... don't they have any clue that pot is not like hard drugs that get people killed) by Paul Armentano
Rachel Hoffman is dead. Rachel Hoffman, like many young adults, occasionally smoked marijuana.
But Rachel Hoffman is not dead as a result of smoking marijuana; she is dead as a result of marijuana prohibition.
Under prohibition, Rachel faced up to five years in a Florida prison for possessing a small amount of marijuana. (Under state law, violators face up to a $5,000 fine and five years in prison for possession of more than 20 grams of pot.)
Under prohibition, the police in Rachel's community viewed the 23-year-old recent college graduate as nothing more than a criminal and threatened her with jail time unless she cooperated with them as an untrained, unsupervised confidential informant. Her assignment: Meet with two men she'd never met and purchase a large quantity of cocaine, ecstasy and a handgun. Rachel rendezvoused with the two men; they shot and killed her.
Under prohibition, the law enforcement officers responsible for brazenly and arrogantly placing Rachel in harm's way have failed to publicly express any remorse -- because, after all, under prohibition Rachel Hoffman was no longer a human being deserving of such sympathies.
Speaking on camera to ABC News' "20/20" last week, Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones attempted to justify his department's callous and irresponsible behavior, stating, "My job as a police chief is to find these criminals in our community and to take them off the streets (and) to make the proper arrest."
But in Rachel Hoffman's case, she was not taken "off the streets," and police made no such arrest -- probably because, deep down, even they know that people like Rachel pose no imminent threat to the public. Instead, the officers on the scene secretly cut a deal with Rachel: They told her that they would not file charges if she agreed to go undercover.
Rachel became the bait; the Tallahassee police force went trolling for sharks.
In the weeks preceding Rachel's murder, police told her to remain tight-lipped about their backroom agreement -- and with good reason. The cops' on-the-spot deal with Rachel flagrantly violated Tallahassee Police Department protocol, which mandated that such an arrangement must first gain formal approval from the state prosecutor's office. Knowing that the office would likely not sign off on their deal -- Rachel was already enrolled in a drug court program from a prior pot possession charge, and cooperating with the TPD as a drug informant would be in violation of her probation -- the police simply decided to move forward with their informal arrangement and not tell anybody.
"(In) hindsight, would it have been a good idea to let the state attorney know? Yes," Jones feebly told "20/20." Damn right it would have been; Rachel Hoffman would still be alive.
But don't expect Jones or any of the other officers who violated the department's code of conduct -- violations that resulted in the death of another human being -- to face repercussions for their actions. Obeying the rules is merely "a good idea" for those assigned with enforcing them. On the other hand, for people like Rachel, violating those rules can be a death sentence.
Of course, to those of us who work in marijuana law reform, we witness firsthand every day the adverse consequences wrought by marijuana prohibition -- a policy that has led to the arrest of nearly 10 million young people since 1990. To us, the sad tale of Rachel Hoffman marks neither the beginning nor the end of our ongoing efforts to bring needed "reefer sanity" to America's criminal justice system. It is simply another chapter in the ongoing and tragic saga that is marijuana prohibition.
Paul Armentano is the deputy director for the NORML Foundation in Washington, D.C.
2008 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/93082/(you must see this to believe this... don't they have any clue that pot is not... more
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